TN 2 (03-04)

A. Introduction

Field office (FO) development of claims filed under Totalization agreements will vary slightly depending upon whether the applicant is filing for foreign benefits only, U.S. benefits only, or both. The following subsection provides a general summary of FO development and routing procedures in nondisability claims. Instructions for developing medical evidence and routing in disability claims is found in GN 01702.400 — GN 01702.415.

B. Procedure

1. Filing for foreign benefits only

• Take the appropriate application form(s) (see GN 01702.120).

• Request a certified U.S. earnings record for the foreign country (see GN 01702.215C.3.).

• Accept any evidence the applicant wishes to submit.

• Forward the claim to the Office of International Operations (OIO) at the address in GN 01702.310C.

• Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) screen to show the date the claim was forwarded to OIO. Show “Totalization” as the ISSUE when completing the MDW screen.

2. Filing for U.S. benefits only

• Take the appropriate application form(s) (see GN 01702.120).

• Develop evidence as required.

• Process award or denial (see GN 01702.310 — GN 01702.315).

• Forward claim to OIO or domestic program service center (PSC) as appropriate (see GN 01702.310).

3. Filing for both U.S. and foreign benefits

• Take the appropriate application forms (see GN 01702.120).

• Develop evidence as required.

• Request a certified U.S. earnings record for the foreign country (see GN 01702.215C.3.).

• Process award or denial of the U.S. claim (see GN 01702.310 — GN 01702.315).

• Forward the claim for foreign benefits to OIO at the address in GN 01702.310C.

• Complete the MDW screen to show the date the claim was forwarded to OIO. Show “Totalizatio” as the ISSUE when completing the MDW screen.

• Forward the claim for U.S. benefits to the domestic PSC or OIO at the address in GN 01702.310C as appropriate.